Tamagawa Barbecue "Garbage Abandonment" Worsens—Overcoming the Dilemma of "Rapidly Increasing Visitors" and Cleanup Volunteers

Table of Contents

1. What's Happening — Summer 2025, Tamagawa Site

2. Basic Organization of River and Municipal Rules (No Open Fires / No Fires Outside Designated Areas)

3. The Reality of Designated and Managed BBQ Areas (Garbage Sorting, Fees, Prohibitions)

4. The Dilemma and Safety of Cleanup Volunteers

5. The Background of "Visitor Surge" and Riverbank Crowding

6. Eliminating Misunderstandings — Multilingual and Illustrated "Behavior Design"

7. Policy Shift of Government and Community (From Prohibition to Management and Utilization)

8. Immediate On-Site Operations (7 Measures)

9. Checklist for Users (Japanese / English / Chinese / Korean)

10. Safety Protocol for Volunteers

11. FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

12. Conclusion
    
    

1. What's Happening — Summer 2025, Tamagawa Site

On July 27, 2025, AERA DIGITAL reported on the issue of "garbage abandonment" by BBQ visitors on the Tamagawa riverbank, highlighting the tension between the increase in foreign visitors and the burden on local volunteers. The article, through voices from the field, indicates concerns towards the seasonal peak. For details of the report, please refer to the link. X (formerly Twitter)

In fact, the official announcements from Ome City also depict the situation in the Kamanofuchi area with photos, showing "frequent garbage abandonment during the summer" and "environmental beautification committee collecting a large amount of garbage in a short time." This is a typical example of the negative cycle of "garbage attracting more garbage." Odawara City Official Site

2. Basic Organization of River and Municipal Rules (No Open Fires / No Fires Outside Designated Areas)

Nationally managed riverbeds are, in principle, "freely usable" outside the designated areas, butopen fires are prohibited. Consideration such as using equipment with legs that do not transmit heat to the ground is required. The national river office also clearly indicates warnings regarding safety aspects such as rising water levels. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kyushu Regional Development Bureau

On the other hand, in green spaces and parks occupied and managed by municipalities,fires are prohibited outside designated areasas a principle. Kawasaki City clearly states thatBBQ (fire use) is prohibited outside designated areasin Tamagawa Green Space and guides available facilities. Ota Ward also informs that BBQ is generally prohibited in parks and riverbeds (except for some campsites). In Komae City's environmental conservation area,BBQ and fireworks are prohibited all dayand there is a provision forfines. These local rules vary by ward and city, so it is essential to **"check official information for each location in advance."** Kawasaki City Official SiteOta Ward Official WebsiteKomae City Official Site

3. The Reality of Designated and Managed BBQ Areas (Garbage Sorting, Fees, Prohibitions)

A typical example isKawasaki City Tamagawa Green Space BBQ Plaza (Futakoshinchi). Here, under management with entrance fees (e.g., 500 yen for adults), rules such asgarbage sorting,no open fires, andno loud equipmentare well established, and the use of on-site garbage disposal areas is enforced. In designated management sites, specific prohibitions such as "bringing in and out" and "handling of knives and gas cans" are listed, functioning to prevent trouble.

Compared to free areas,managed areas have more institutionalized garbage management, making it easier for users to recall the behavioral norm of"cleaning up is part of the fun." Kawasaki City Tamagawa Green Space BBQ PlazaKawasaki City Tamagawa Green Space BBQ PlazaKawasaki City Tamagawa Green Space BBQ Plaza

4. The Dilemma and Safety of Cleanup Volunteers

TheTamagawa Beautification Activitiesorganized by local groups and municipalities have continued for many years, but theamount of garbage during peak periods,language and cultural barriers, andsafety assurance when giving warningsare challenges. In Kawasaki City, a large-scale cleanup was conducted on June 1, 2025, with efforts to lower participation barriers by distributing gloves and garbage bags. However, it is essential to shift from a structure that easily relies onvolunteersto a system design where"users take responsibility" (discussed later). Kawasaki City Official Site

5. The Background of "Visitor Surge" and Riverbank Crowding

The number of inbound visitors to Japan in 2025 is increasing atthe fastest pace ever, with high levels estimated even in June. The tailwind of a weak foreign currency is also pointed out, raising the possibility of congestion and friction in tourist spots and public spaces.The increase in visitors itself is a welcome opportunity, but if the receiving side's preparations (rule presentation, multilingual guidance, operational system) do not keep up, friction is likely to occur in places like riverbanks where management oversight is difficult. Japan National Tourism OrganizationReuters

6. Eliminating Misunderstandings — Multilingual and Illustrated "Behavior Design"

Common misunderstandings on-site include "the boundary between parks and freely usable river areas," "the permissibility of open fires," and "the difference between taking garbage home and collection at bases."Pictograms + concise multilingualdesigns are needed to convey at a glance what is **"allowed/not allowed."**

Multilingual Mini Sign Template

Japanese:

• No open fires. Use raised grills.

• No flames outside designated areas (municipal occupied land, parks).

• Always take garbage home or sort at designated points.

• No loudspeakers. Beware of rising water and wind. Emergency: 110/119.
  
  
  English:

• No open fires. Use raised grills only.

• No flames outside designated areas (parks/managed zones).

• Take all trash home or use the designated sorting point.

• No loud speakers. Beware of flash floods/wind. Emergency: 110/119.
  
  
  Simplified Chinese: 禁止open fires, only use raised grills;no fire in non-designated areas;take garbage home or sort as instructed;no loudspeakers; beware of rising water and strong winds; emergency 110/119.
  Korean:No open fires, use only grills with legs. No flames outside designated areas. Take garbage home or sort at designated places. No loudspeakers. Beware of rising water and strong winds. Emergency 110/119.

7. Policy Shift of Government and Community (From Prohibition to Management and Utilization)

The riverbed of Maruko Bridge in Kawasaki City, after asocial experiment of BBQ prohibition, has aimed to balance vibrancy and issues throughnew utilization(private sector collaboration events, etc.). Rather than a dichotomy of"completely free" or "completely prohibited", a realistic approach is to set environmental load limits through a system of management, reservation, charging, and monitoring with a clear operational entity. Kawasaki City Official Site

8. Immediate On-Site Operations (7 Measures)

1. Reservation/Registration System + Maximum Number of People: Prevent unexpected congestion.

2. Usage Fee + Cleaning Deposit: Encourage "take back" with return conditions (sorting, on-site confirmation).

3. Designated Garbage Stations (Sorting, Charcoal Pots): Physically prevent illegal dumping with partition nets and patrol staff.

4. Multilingual Pict